Strips for resealing bags

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to adhesive strips for reversibly resealing open bags, such as food bags. More particularly, the preferred strips comprise a decorative motif and/or a textured surface, which may be provided in a dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to adhesive stripsfor reversibly resealing open bags. More particularly, the preferredstrips comprise a decorative motif and/or a textured surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many food items are sold in disposable bags. One can obtain potatochips, tortilla chips, cookies, crackers, bread, and myriad other fooditems in such packaging. These bags may be made of plastic/polymermaterials, foil-type materials, paper, and other materials well known tothose of skill in the art. However, with the rare exception, such foodpackages are not resealable.

Nonfood items are also sold in disposable bags. These could range frompaper clips to cement. To prevent loss of product, for example, fromexposure to the atmospheric elements, or from items spilling out of apackage if it is dropped, there is a need to reseal the packaging.

As is well known, potato chip bags, as an example, once opened, do notcome with an integral sealing mechanism. Thus, food packaged in suchbags will quickly become stale after the bag is opened if the food isnot repackaged and resealed. This problem often encourages consumers toconsume the entire potato chip bag to prevent such waste. A variety ofmethods have been proposed to reseal and/or repackage the food itemsbefore they go stale.

The bag clip, for example, clips onto a folded bag, in order to maintaina bag's seal. However, the bag clip is bulky and inconvenient, easy tobreak, and unattractive. It is clearly not the most desirable solution.Another proposed solution is simply moving the food from its originalpackaging to a zip lock bag, for example. However, such a solutionincreases the trash accumulated, and it is inconvenient to bring ziplock bags wherever you might purchase snacks. It is an object of thisinvention, therefore, to provide a convenient, easily applied sealingmechanism for use with common food packaging, in order to preservefreshness, and in order to prevent food items from escaping theiroriginal packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A closure for reversibly closing a bag is disclosed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The closure comprises astrip comprising an adhesive bottom surface adapted to reversibly adhereto first and second regions of the bag, such that the bag is maintainedin a closed state when the strip is adhered to both first and secondregions, and the bag can be opened when the strip is adhered to lessthan both regions, wherein the strip further comprises a modified topsurface.

In some preferred embodiments, the modified top surface comprises adecorative motif adapted to appeal to a particular group of consumers.In other preferred embodiments, the modified top surface comprises atextured surface adapted to facilitate application to the first andsecond regions of the bag. In yet other preferred embodiments, the stripcomprises a shape adapted to appeal to a particular group of consumersand/or facilitate application and removal of the resealable strip. Inother preferred embodiments, the strip comprises at least two of adecorative motif, a textured top surface, and a shape.

Preferably, the adhesive bottom surface comprises an adhesive selectedfrom the group consisting of tackified rubber adhesive, tackifiedacrylic adhesive and untackified acrylic adhesive. The adhesive bottomsurface may be configured for multiple applications and removals.

In another preferred embodiment, the strip may further comprise abacking adjacent the adhesive bottom surface, said backing configuredfor removal before the strip is adhered to the first and second regionsof the bag.

In another variation to the closure, the strip may further comprise anon-adhesive handle.

In preferred embodiments, the bag is a potato chip bag.

In another preferred embodiment, the closure for reversibly closing abag comprises a strip configured to span first and second regions of thebag. The strip comprises an adhesive bottom surface adapted toreversibly adhere to the first and second regions of the bag, such thatthe bag is maintained in a closed state when the strip is adhered toboth first and second regions, and the bag can be opened by a user whenthe strip is peeled away from at least one of the regions; a modifiedtop surface having a decorative motif and/or a textured surface; and ahandle region at one end of the strip comprising a non-adhesive bottomsurface, such that the user can readily grasp the handle and peel thestrip away from at least one of the regions, thereby opening the bag.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system isdisclosed for resealing open bags. The system comprises a dispenserconfigured to store a plurality of resealable strips and to facilitatedispensing of a single strip; and a plurality of resealable stripspositioned within the dispenser, each strip comprising: an adhesivebottom surface adapted to reversibly adhere to a first folded region ofan open bag and a second body region of the open bag, such that the openbag is resealed when the strip is adhered to both first and secondregions and can be re-opened by a user when the strip is removed from atleast one of the regions; a modified top surface having a decorativemotif and/or a textured surface; and a handle region at one end of thestrip comprising a non-adhesive bottom surface, such that the user cangrasp the handle region to apply or remove the strip, thereby resealingor re-opening the bag, respectively.

In a variation to the system, the dispenser may further comprise abottom surface to which one of the plurality of resealable stripsadheres; a top movable between a closed configuration and an openedconfiguration; at least one catch; and a bracket having a latchmechanism for engaging the at least one catch.

In another variation, the system may further comprise a cuff withinwhich the bracket is disposed, wherein the cuff is configured to be wornon a wrist of a user.

In another variation, the bracket may further have a bottom surfaceadapted to fasten to a mounting surface. The bottom surface of thebracket may comprise an adhesive.

In another variation to the system, the plurality of strips may comprisean elongate tape configured as a roll, from which individual strips canbe removed in pre-determined lengths. Preferably, the tape furthercomprises perforated junctions between individual strips.

In another variation to the system, the dispenser may comprise alaminated sheet in which the plurality of strips are positioned, whereinindividual strips can be peeled away from the laminated sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of this invention, illustrating all itsfeatures, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict thenovel and nonobvious method and resealable strips of this inventionshown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposesonly. The drawings include the following Figures, with like numeralsindicating like parts:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a resealable stripaccording to the present invention, and exemplary food packaging towhich the resealable strip may be affixed.

FIG. 1A shows a side elevational view of the embodiment of theresealable strip illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the resealable strip and exemplaryfood packaging of FIG. 1 in an attached configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of one embodiment of a containerfor dispensing resealable strips.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view of one embodiment of a bracket forreceiving the container of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a bracketfor receiving the container of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a group of designs that may decorate theembodiment of the resealable strip illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of another group of designs that may decoratethe embodiment of the resealable strip illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention in anunattached configuration. The resealable strip 10 of the presentinvention is shown adjacent an opened bag 12. In operation, theresealable strip 10 may be used to seal such a bag 12, therebypreserving the freshness of the contents of the bag 12 and preventingsuch contents from escaping the confines of the bag. As used herein, theterm, “seal,” has a broad definition and indicates some occlusionbetween an interior volume and an external environment. This term shouldnot be interpreted to refer only to an air-tight, fluid-tight, orotherwise absolute sealing function. In a preferred embodiment, the bag12 is sealed such that the contents are in substantially limited contactwith the external environment.

As illustrated, the bag 12 may comprise a potato chip bag that may becomposed of any of a variety of film-type materials, as is well known tothose of skill in the art. The resealable strip 10 may also be used withother types of bags and materials, and the specifications of theresealable strip 10 may be modified as needed, in keeping with theinvention, in order to suit these other bag applications. The bag 12 isalso shown in an opened configuration, thus exposing the contents of thebag (potato chips, in this illustration) to the external environment. Asis well known to those of skill in the art, potato chips, for example,will rapidly become stale if they remain in fluid contact with theexternal environment. However, this process may be slowed dramaticallyif the air flow among these chips is even partially restricted. Ofcourse, it is also advantageous to close the bag 12 in some way so as toprevent accidental spillage of the potato chips contained therein.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, it is desirable to sealthe bag 12 in some way after opening it and eating some of the potatochips. The resealable strip 10 serves this purpose. In a preferredembodiment, the resealable strip 10 has a top surface 14 and a bottomsurface 16, as may be seen more clearly in FIG. 1A. When applied, thebottom surface 16 of the resealable strip 10 contacts the bag 12, andthe top surface 14 faces the user (as may be seen in FIG. 2). In orderto seal the bag, at least a portion of the bottom surface 16 comprisesan adhesive that may adhere to the film-type material from which the bag12 is manufactured. In one preferred embodiment, the adhesive is adaptedto retain its adhesive properties (e.g., remains capable of adhering tothe bag material) through more than one, preferably more than two,repeated cycles of application and removal, such that the sameresealable strip 10 may be peeled apart and then reapplied multipletimes before it must be replaced.

The adhesive may comprise any of a number of adhesives well known tothose of skill in the art, including water-based, solution or hot meltadhesives. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive comprises a pressuresensitive adhesive, and may be chosen from among tackified rubberadhesives, tackified acrylic adhesives or untackified acrylic adhesives,styrene-isoprene block copolymers, acrylic ester-vinyl acetatecopolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers or other adhesives wellknown to those of skill in the art. In a further preferred embodiment,as an example, the adhesive may be chosen from among the adhesives soldunder the trademarks MULTI-LOK, NACOR, MULTI-LOK 38-454A and NACOR38-4554 sold by National Starch and Chemical Company in Bridgewater,N.J.

In order to protect the resealable strip's 10 adhesive bottom surface16, the resealable strip 10 may further comprise a backing (not shown)that overlays this bottom surface 16. The backing may be peeled awayfrom the bottom surface 16 prior to application and may have one or moretabs to facilitate grasping the backing. The backing may also allowmultiple resealable strips 10 to lay atop one another without the topsurface 14 of one strip adhering to the bottom surface 16 of an adjacentstrip.

The resealable strip 10 may further comprise a handle 17, as best seenin FIG. 1A. The handle 17 is preferably not coated with adhesive and maybe used to facilitate finding and grasping an end of the strip, andholding the resealable strip 10 without getting adhesive on a user'shands. The handle 17 may also be used to conveniently remove theresealable strip from an attached configuration with the bag 12, sincethe handle 17 will extend at least partially above the surface of thebag as it has no adhesive on its bottom surface.

In order to make the resealable strip 10 more functional and attractiveto consumers, in a preferred embodiment, the top surface 14 of theresealable strip 10 is modified relative to the bottom, adhesivesurface. For example, the top surface may be laminated and mayincorporate any of a number of functional and/or decorative features.The top surface 14 may include a textile layer, a different polymericlayer, a textured surface, etc., which may enhance both the strength andtactile feel of the strip. In addition or in the alternative, the topsurface may, as illustrated, have printed thereon an aestheticallypleasing image, such as the American flag, that may encourage the userto apply the resealable strip 10 to a bag 12. The methods of printingsuch designs on the material of resealable strips 10 are well known tothose of skill in the art, and may depend upon the material from whichthe resealable strips 10 are formed and/or on the top surfacemodification. In another embodiment, the top surface 14 may incorporatea combination of colors and textures that are aesthetically pleasingand/or functionally improved. FIGS. 6 and 7, which will be furtherdiscussed below, illustrate some possible designs. In anotherembodiment, the top surface 14 of the strips may incorporate anattractive three-dimensional shape extending from the surface of the bag12. In yet another embodiment, the top surface 14 may furtherincorporate attractive and/or fanciful smells. In yet anotherembodiment, the top surface may be modified to include different namesand/or initials, thereby identifying the owner of the opened/resealedbag among a family or group of users. There are, of course, a variety ofdecorative features that may be incorporated into different resealablestrips.

The resealable strip 10 may be manufactured from any one of a number ofmaterials well known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment,the resealable strip principally comprises a polymer. In anotherembodiment, the resealable strip may comprise a paper or fabriccompound. The resealable strip 10 may also be made in any of a number ofshapes and sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the resealable strip is 1″wide by 3″ long. In another embodiment, the strip is 1-½ wide by 3-½long. Of course, in other embodiments, the shape of the resealable strip10 may incorporate decorative features and may comprise a star, forexample, or a cut-out of an automobile.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 asapplied to a bag 12. In a preferred method of application, one or morefolds 18 are created at the open end of the bag 12 in order to press thematerial of the bag 12 into a relatively sealed arrangement. Thus, atemporary seal is created between the sides of the bag 12 at or near thefolds 18. In order to maintain this seal, the folds 18 in the bag 12must be maintained, and the resealable strip 10 may be used to maintainthese folds.

In the illustrated embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the resealablestrip 10 is aligned normal to a longitudinal axis of the folds 18 in thebag 12. Of course, in other embodiments, the resealable strip 10 may beoriented differently. The resealable strip 10 is preferably arranged tocontact and adhere to both the folded and unfolded portions of the bag12, maintaining the folds 18 in a sealing configuration. In thisembodiment, it may be noticed that the top surface 14 of the resealablestrip 10 is plainly visible, and it is therefore advantageous that thistop surface 14 have an attractive design. Of course, in otherembodiments, the attractive design may take the form of a particularshape of the resealable strip 10 itself.

In order to reopen the bag 12, the resealable strip 10 may be peeledaway from the surface of the bag 12, and the bag 12 may be unfolded. Ina preferred embodiment, the handle 17 is used to grasp the resealablestrip 10 as it is peeled away. When the bag 12 is in an unfoldedconfiguration, the resealable strip 10 may be left in a positionadhering to a side of the bag 12. Alternatively, the resealable strip 10may be removed and left on a piece of storage paper (such as, waxpaper), or may be disposed of. When the user wishes to refold and resealthe bag 12, the same resealable strip 10 or another resealable strip maybe used to seal the folds 18 in place as discussed above. Thus, a largebag of potato chips may be consumed in multiple sessions, between whichthe bag may be sealed to preserve freshness.

In one preferred embodiment, the strips may be dispensed in a roll, suchas, for example, a tape dispenser. In one variation, the strips may bescored or perforated to allow easy removal of a predetermined length. Inanother variation, the strips may comprise a substantially continuouslength of tape, wherein the dispenser is adapted to cut the tape intoconveniently-sized strips for use. With respect to the tape dispenserembodiments, the configuration of the tape dispenser itself may varyamong known dispenser designs and include single roll dispensers andmultiple roll dispensers. In the case of a system comprising a multipleroll dispenser, the system may include in preferred embodiments, avariety of different top surface decorations, e.g., a family pack, withdifferent patterns and/or textures being advantageously provided foreach member of the family.

In FIG. 3, another container 20 from which the resealable strip 10 maybe dispensed and sold is illustrated. In such a container 20, a numberof resealable strips lie atop one another in storage, as illustrated bythe horizontal lines in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 16of one resealable strip lies directly against and at least partiallyadheres to the top surface 14 of a resealable strip below. However, in apreferred embodiment, the adhesive on the bottom surface 16 of the topresealable strip tends not to leave an adhesive residue on the bottomresealable strip, at least in part because of a laminate or otherwisemodified structure on the top surface 14 of the bottom resealable strip.At the bottom of the container 20, the bottom resealable strip liesdirectly against and at least partially adheres to a bottom surface 21of the container, thereby at least partially adhering all of theresealable strips within the container 20. Of course, in otherembodiments, the resealable strips may be sold on pieces of backingpaper adjacent one another, but not stacked atop one another.

In order to remove the resealable strips from within the container 20, atop 22 is movable from a closed configuration (illustrated in FIG. 3) toan opened configuration (not shown). The top 22 preferably rotates abouta hinge 24 in order to move into an opened configuration. The hinge 24may comprise any of a number of hinges well known to those of skill inthe art, including a pair of elements rotatable with respect to oneanother, or a piece of relatively thin material. Of course, in otherembodiments, the top 22 may be attached to the container 20 by someother means, or there may be no top at all. Once the top 22 is movedinto an opened configuration, a resealable strip may be removed bygrasping it by its handle and pulling it from its adhesive connectionwith the resealable strip below it.

The container 20 may preferably have catches 26 disposed on two of itssides. The catches 26 comprise protrusions in the illustratedembodiment. In other embodiments, the catches 26 may comprise divots,into which a latch mechanism may protrude. In still other embodiments,the container 20 need not have a catch 26 at all.

In FIG. 4, a bracket 28 is illustrated, into which the container 20 maybe placed. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket 28 has latchmechanisms 30 disposed on two sides of the generally hollow rectangularbox comprising the bracket 28. The latch mechanisms 30 are preferablyconfigured to interact with, and latch, the catches 26 of the container20. Thus, a container 20 may be snapped into engagement with a bracket28. In a preferred embodiment, once emptied, the container 20 may besnapped out of engagement with the bracket 28 and replaced by a newcontainer.

The bracket 28 may further have mounting tape or adhesive on its bottomsurface 32. In this way, the bracket 28 may be relatively permanentlymounted and stored in a pantry or drawer, for example. As morecontainers are bought, they may be moved into latched engagement withthe bracket 28, such that the resealable strips may be easily found in ahousehold. In another embodiment, the bracket 28 may be relativelypermanently mounted by other means well known to those of skill in theart, such as screws, nails or other mounting hardware.

The bracket 28 and container 20 are preferably made of fairly rigidplastic materials. Of course, other embodiments are also possible, andthe materials from which the bracket 28 and container 20 aremanufactured should not be limiting.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of a bracket 28 is illustrated, whereinthe bracket 28 is configured on a cuff 34, or wrist band, that may beworn on a user's wrist. The cuff 34 may be particularly useful inapplications where a number of resealable strips 10 will be applied tomultiple packages. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket 28 functionssimilarly to the bracket described above with reference to FIG. 4. In apreferred embodiment, the cuff 34 comprises a piece of flexible plasticthat is lightweight and comfortable for a user to wear. Of course, otherlocations and orientations for the location of a bracket 28 arecontemplated.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate some decorative top surfaces 14 for theresealable strips 10. FIG. 6 illustrates three rows 36, 38, 40 that maybe particularly attractive to men, women and children, respectively.FIG. 7, on the other hand, illustrates some decorative top surfaces 14that are more unisex and represent a particular theme. In otherembodiments, the top surfaces 14 may incorporate graphics representingdifferent religious faiths, popular culture, sub-cultures, etc. As iswell known to those of skill in the art, a variety of decorativefeatures may be incorporated in keeping with the present invention.

Although not shown, in a preferred embodiment, the resealable strips 10sold in a particular container 20 may have identical decorative topsurfaces 14. However, in other embodiments, a variety of resealablestrips 10 may be sold in a single container 20 to enhance a consumer'saesthetic variety. Moreover, the containers 20 may contain a variety ofresealable strips 20 relating to a particular theme, such that the samegroup of consumers is likely to find all of the designs in a particularcontainer 20 attractive.

A variety of resealable strips and potential packaging for theseresealable strips have been disclosed in detail in connection withvarious embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments aredisclosed by way of examples only and are not to limit the scope of thepresent invention, which is defined by the claims that follow. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate many variations andmodifications within the scope of this invention.

1. A closure for reversibly closing a bag, the closure comprising: astrip comprising an adhesive bottom surface adapted to reversibly adhereto first and second regions of the bag, such that the bag is maintainedin a closed state when the strip is adhered to both first and secondregions, and the bag can be opened when the strip is adhered to lessthan both regions, wherein the strip further comprises a modified topsurface.
 2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the modified top surfacecomprises a decorative motif adapted to appeal to a particular group ofconsumers.
 3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the modified top surfacecomprises a textured surface adapted to facilitate application to thefirst and second regions of the bag.
 4. The closure of claim 1, whereina modified top surface comprises a shape adapted to appeal to aparticular group of consumers and/or facilitate application and removalof the resealable strip.
 5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the stripcomprises at least two of a decorative motif, a textured top surface,and a shape.
 6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the adhesive bottomsurface comprises an adhesive selected from the group consisting oftackified rubber adhesive, tackified acrylic adhesive and untackifiedacrylic adhesive.
 7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the adhesive bottomsurface is configured for multiple applications and removals.
 8. Theclosure of claim 1, wherein the strip further comprises a backingadjacent the adhesive bottom surface, said backing configured forremoval before the strip is adhered to the first and second regions ofthe bag.
 9. The closure of claim 1, wherein the strip further comprisesa non-adhesive handle.
 10. The closure of claim 1, wherein the bag is apotato chip bag.
 11. A closure for reversibly closing a bag, the closurecomprising: a strip configured to span first and second regions of thebag, the strip comprising: an adhesive bottom surface adapted toreversibly adhere to the first and second regions of the bag, such thatthe bag is maintained in a closed state when the strip is adhered toboth first and second regions, and the bag can be opened by a user whenthe strip is peeled away from at least one of the first and secondregions; a modified top surface having a decorative motif and/or atextured surface; and a handle region at one end of the strip comprisinga non-adhesive bottom surface, such that the user can readily grasp thehandle region and peel the strip away from at least one of the first andsecond regions, thereby opening the bag.
 12. A system for resealing openbags, comprising: a dispenser configured to store a plurality ofresealable strips and facilitate dispensing of a single strip; aplurality of resealable strips positioned within the dispenser, eachstrip comprising: an adhesive bottom surface adapted to reversiblyadhere to a first folded region of an open bag and a second body regionof the open bag, such that the open bag is resealed when the strip isadhered to both first and second regions and can be re-opened by a userwhen the strip is removed from at least one of the regions; a modifiedtop surface having a decorative motif and/or a textured surface; and ahandle region at one end of the strip comprising a non-adhesive bottomsurface, such that the user can grasp the handle region to apply orremove the strip, thereby resealing or re-opening the bag, respectively.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the dispenser further comprises: abottom surface to which one of the plurality of resealable stripsadheres; a top movable between a closed configuration and an openedconfiguration; at least one catch; and a bracket having a latchmechanism for engaging the at least one catch.
 14. The system of claim13, further comprising: a cuff within which the bracket is disposed,wherein the cuff is configured to be worn on a wrist of a user.
 15. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the bracket further has a bottom surfaceadapted to fasten to a mounting surface.
 16. The system of claim 15,wherein the bottom surface of the bracket comprises an adhesive.
 17. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the plurality of strips comprise an elongatetape configured as a roll, from which individual strips can be removedin pre-determined lengths.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein theelongate tape further comprises perforated junctions between individualstrips.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the dispenser comprises alaminated sheet on which the plurality of strips are positioned, whereinindividual strips can be peeled away from the laminated sheet.